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Picos de Europa mountain trek
- The Picos de Europa National Park.
- A variety of landscapes: rivers, fields, woods, valleys and peaks.
- A trek which traverses all 3 massifs.
- Exploring an authentically rural area of unspoilt natural beauty.
- Incredibly varied flora from 120m to well over 2000m.
- Welcoming accommodations situated in tiny villages.
- Delicious regional gastronomy and a grand selection of artisan cheeses from the Picos.
From: 695 €
Tripcode: ESSW037
3 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
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4 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
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Duration: 12 days
Details
Walking in the Picos de Europa
The Picos de Europa. Without a doubt the most impressive mountains in Spain, emerging dramatically from the coastal landscape to form a natural frontier between the lush north coast and the more arid Castille. Three capricious limestone massifs marked by rushing rivers, plunging gorges, and stunning high peaks. Some of the most vertical terrain in all of Europe (120m to 2648m) and home to a great variety of alpine flora and intriguing fauna. From the green north side to the warmer and drier climate of the south, straight through the Central Massif. An unforgettable odyssey which will you have planning your return before the postcards even reach home.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrival in Arenas de Cabrales
Arrival in Asturias, on the north side of the Picos, at your hotel in Arenas de Cabrales. Shop for some last-minute trekking supplies or sample the local blue cheese and traditional apple cider on one of the outdoor terraces.
Challenge: Arrival in the Picos de Europa.
Villages along the way: Arenas de Cabrales
Day 2: Circular walk from Arenas
Ascent to the summer meadows at Nava, situated 500m above the Cares River, with excellent views of the Picos. A strenuous but very rewarding walk, especially in early summer when the meadows display a multitude of brightly coloured flowers. Option of doing an alternative shorter walk to Vanu (Banu), through shady countryside at a lower elevation.
Challenge: 5,5hrs, 12km, ascent 650m, descent 650m.
Villages along the way: Arenas, Nava
Day 3: Poncebos to Posada de Valdeón through the Cares Gorge
An absolute classic from the local repertoire, this stunning route is walked by thousands each year and remains strikingly beautiful. You walk on a good footpath, used to maintain a 12km channel which feeds the hydroelectric station in Poncebos. Your day starts off with a 5min transfer to the start of the walk. After a short but steep ascent of 150m on a zig-zag trail, the path then levels off and you continue the rest of the way to Caín nearly “on the flat” (12km). From there, you have the choice of continuing another 8km up the valley or taking a taxi to your hotel in Posada de Valdeón.
Challenge: 6,5hrs, 20km, ascent 680m, descent 100m.
Villages along the way: Poncebos, Caín, Posada de Valdeón
Day 4: Circular walk from Valdeón
After 2 tougher routes, today you do a circular nature walk in wooded surroundings near Valdeón, an area inhabited by wolves and bears. At mid-day you reach a shepherd’s refuge on the north side of the Picos’ western massif: Vega de Llos (1545m), an excellent place to stop for a rest. If you’re aching for an even better panorama, option of continuing on up to El Frade pass (1785m), for sweeping views all the way to the sea.
Challenge: 5horas, 12km, ascent 600m, descent 600m.
Villages along the way: Posada de Valdeón
Day 5: Valdeón to Espinama via Liordes
Today's route starts off with an ascent on the historic traders' path, el Camín del Mercadillo, which leads from Posada de Valdeón to Liébana. After 7km walking with 800m in ascent, you reach the meadowlands at Caben Remoña, situated on the border between the provinces of León and Cantabria. Here you have the choice of walking straight on down to Espinama (9km with 900m in descent) or taking the spectacular high route via Vega de Liordes down to Fuente Dé (bus or taxi 3,5km to your hotel). If you have booked luggage transport, there’s the option of riding for the first 5km with your bags (thus saving 500m in ascent).
Challenge: 7-8hrs, 16km, ascent 800/1235m, descent 900/1135m.
Villages along the way: Posada de Valdeón, Liordes, Espinama
Day 6: Horcados Rojos
Option of taking a rest day today, to relax in the hotel garden by the pool, or doing a day-trip to nearby Potes, a lovely village with historic Medieval centre. If you prefer to walk, you first take the bus to Fuente Dé (1100m) and ride the cable car up to 1835m. There you begin a spectacular route up to Horcados Rojos, an impressive vista point with splendid views of the Picos and far beyond.
Challenge: 4,5-5,5 hrs, 10/12km, ascent 500/650, descent 500/650 OR rest day.
Villages along the way: Espinama, Fuente Dé OR Potes
Day 7: From Espinama to Sotres
A long but technically easy walk, first along footpaths through woodlands near Pembes, then on farming tracks to Áliva Pass (1645m). You then follow a glacier moraine down the Duje River valley to reach Sotres. At 1050m, this is the highest village in the Picos making an ideal base for some excellent walking routes. After a long day, the end of your route is a stimulating 150m ascent to reach Sotres!
Challenge: 6,5-7 hours, 16km, ascent 900m, descent 750m OR rest day.
Villages along the way: Espinama, Áliva, Sotres
Day 8: Circular walk in Ándara (Pico San Carlos)
After a short transfer, you start a beautiful and extremely varied route in the Eastern Massif known as Andara. The first section follows a historic mining track, into the heart of the massif. You then continue on to reach an elevation of 2215m. Descent via cattle trails, back down to your hotel in Sotres.
Challenge: 5,5/8hrs, 12,5/16km, ascent 640/1040m, descent 900/1300m.
Villages along the way: Sotres
Day 9: Circular walk via Tresviso
Today's is a shorter route beginning with a transfer. Then you walk into a landscape with fields of heather and ancient oakwoods to reach the nearby village of Tresviso. Along the way, stunning views down into the Urdón Gorge and a chance of hearing the characteristic laughing call of the rare capercaillie.
Challenge: 4,5-5hrs, 11km, ascent 450m, descent 680m.
Villages along the way: Sotres, Tresviso
Day 10: Sotres to Vega de Urriellu
The highlight of this trek of highlights, takes you up to the legendary Picu Urriellu – also called Naranjo de Bulnes – a stunning peak and mecca for world-class rock climbers. You first take farming tracks from Sotres up to Pandébano Col. Then you follow a footpath up into the lunar landscapes at the heart of the central massif, home to chamoix and alpine choughs. For your overnight stay here at the refuge, you’ll carry just the things you need for the day, while your luggage in transported to the next hotel. Early in the season, snow can be a factor. If the event the hut cannot be reached, the alternate program includes a circular walk to nearby Tielve and overnight stay in Sotres.
Challenge: 5hrs, 10km, ascent 1025m, descent 150m.
Villages along the way: Sotres, Pandébano, Vega de Urriellu
Day 11: Urriellu to Poncebos via Bulnes
Your last day of walking explores yet another facet of the Picos as you traverse a steep footpath down Camburero Gorge to reach the remote village of Bulnes (no road access). You then continue in descent through the Teju Gorge to reach Poncebos, coming full circle back to the start of your trek. Early in the season, today’s descent may be impracticable due to water level from snow run-off. The alternate route goes by way of Pandébano. Short transfer to your hotel in Arenas de Cabrales.
Challenge: 4,5-5hrs, 8,5km, ascent 0m, descent 1650m.
Villages along the way: Vega de Urriellu, Bulnes, Poncebos, Arenas
Day 12: End of arrangement
Your trek comes to an end today, after breakfast. Taxi transfers can be arranged to the airport (Oviedo, Santander or Bilbao).
Villages along the way: Arenas de Cabrales
Practical info
Included:
- Accommodation for 11 nights
- 11 breakfasts
- 8 dinners
- Transfers on days 3, 8, 9 and 11
- Luggage transport according to program
- Trip notes with detailed route descriptions and maps
Not Included:
- Lunches
- 3 dinners
- Bus ticket on day 5
- Cable car ticket on day 6
- Optional taxi transfers
- Transport to first and from last accommodation
Getting there and back:
- The nearest airports to the Picos de Europa are Oviedo (OVD), also known as Asturias airport, Santander (SDR) and Bilbao (BIO).
- From the airports there are good bus connections to city centre bus stations, where you can catch a connecting bus to your destination (ALSA bus company, see time tables at www.alsa.es).
- From Oviedo centre there are direct buses to Arenas de Cabrales, though these services cannot be booked in advance. From Santander and Bilbao, you take a direct bus to Unquera and then continue by taxi to Arenas de Cabrales.
- It is wise to book your bus tickets and taxi transfer in advance, especially for arrivals and when travelling in summer or on Friday afternoons. You can buy your bus tickets through the ALSA website www.alsa.es or through your S-cape office in Spain, also responsible for booking your taxi from Unquera to Arenas.
- Your trek ends in Arenas de Cabrales. Bus tickets and taxi transfers can be booked in advance through S-cape Travel.
- Airport transfers for arrival / departure can be booked in advance through S-cape Travel. Costs will depend on number of passengers, airport used and time of pick up.
Reviews
Start: Arenas de Cabrales
Finish: Arenas de Cabrales
Dates & prices
Trip availability: 01 June to 15 October
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in triple room: | 695 €/person |
| in double room: | 790 €/person |
| in single room: | 950 €/person |
| solo traveller: | 1180 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in triple room: | 740 €/person |
| in double room: | 855 €/person |
| in single room: | 1080 €/person |
| solo traveller: | 1310 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in triple room: | 695 €/person |
| in double room: | 790 €/person |
| in single room: | 950 €/person |
| solo traveller: | 1180 €/person |